Source: ESA Online Videos
Over 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, ESA's Herschel space telescope has been observing the Universe for the last two years, studying the infrared radiation emitted by the coldest bodies in the cosmos. See the invisible in this edition of Space.
Source: NASA Announcement
Solar panels are already important for energy of Space missions.
Image credit: NASA.
NASA issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeking proposals for mission concept studies of a solar electric propulsion system demonstration to test and validate key capabilities and technologies for future exploration missions.
Multiple studies have shown the advantages of using solar electric propulsion to efficiently transport heavy payloads from low Earth orbit to higher orbits. This concept enables the delivery of payloads to low Earth orbit via conventional chemical rockets. The use of solar electric propulsion could then spiral payloads out to higher energy orbits, including Lagrange point one, a potential assembly point in space between Earth and the moon. This approach could facilitate missions to near Earth asteroids and other destinations in deep space. (read announcement)
Source: ESA
SSA programme is enabling Europe to detect hazards to critical space infrastructure.
Image credits: ESA - P. Carrill.
The European Commission recently set out the EU's main space priorities, which include protection of Europe's space infrastructure. The affirmation spotlights ESA's Space Situational Awareness Preparatory Programme as a strategic European necessity and a cornerstone of Europe's future in space.(read more)
